How Can Orthokeratology Help With Myopia Management in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?

Is your child stuck wearing glasses or contact lenses? Is the prescription getting worse and worse faster than you can keep up? Orthokeratology, or “Ortho-K,” is an overnight process to correct vision, leaving you glasses and contacts free during the day. Along with the convenience of not having to wear glasses or contacts during the day, Ortho-K is also PROVEN to slow down or even halt the progression of myopia.

"Ortho-K also means that your child is protected from significant risks of serious vision conditions later in life such as macular degeneration and retinal detachment. At the same time, he or she is freed from corrective lenses during the day."

What Is Myopia?

Myopia or “nearsightedness”, begins in childhood or the teenage years and is both extremely prevalent and on the rise worldwide. It is caused when the eye begins to lose it’s spherical shape and becomes elongated as a child grows. This causes light from distant objects to land in the front, rather than the center of the cornea, causing blurred and distorted vision. While glasses or regular contact lenses adjust for this distortion, they don’t address the underlying problem, which will continue to worsen into young-adulthood. Orthokeratology DOES address myopia and keeps it from getting any worse.

What Is Orthokeratology?

Orthokeratology goes by a few names but is mostly referred to as:

Ortho-K

CRT (Corneal Reshaping Therapy)

Gentle Vision Shaping System (GVT or GVST)

Vision Shaping Treatment (VST), and

Corneal Molding

Regardless of the name used, Ortho-K is an established non-surgical method of vision correction that has been safely used for over 20 years. A custom-fitted and specially designed rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens is worn overnight to gently and painlessly correct the shape of the cornea. This corrects vision during the day AND reduces or even halts the progression of myopia.

The Ortho-K contact lenses gradually mold or focus the cornea while you or your child sleeps, leaving your distance vision sharp and accurate upon waking, without the need for daytime glasses or contact lenses. This allows you or your child the accurate vision required to go about daily tasks such as reading, writing, driving, and successful learning throughout the day.

This process is repeated daily. The Ortho-K lenses are safe, reliable, and very effective, with only very minimal risk and they pose no danger to the elastic tissue of the eyes. Orthokeratology also remains an excellent alternative for adults who either don’t want or don’t qualify for LASIK surgery or other surgical vision correction options. At The Myopia Management Center At Fox Chase Family Eye Care, we have years of experience fitting Ortho-K for young children, teens, and adults for patients throughout Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and beyond.

Who Can Benefit From Orthokeratology?

Both children and adults can benefit from the vision correction of Ortho-K. While it is too late to slow the progression of myopia in adulthood (and thereby mitigate the long-term risks of Myopia) there are many people who can benefit from the vision correction it offers. Being free of glasses or contact lenses during the day is beneficial for a lot of different kinds of people and situations. This includes:

Adults who don’t qualify for laser surgery

People who want to avoid the complications of surgical correction

Athletes (both children and adults)

Professionals who work in hazardous conditions and require non-prescription protective eyewear (examples are law enforcement, military, construction workers)

People with severe eye sensitivities, dry eye, or allergies that are exacerbated by regular contact lenses.

Ortho-K For Children

Ortho-K is the ideal solution for children that are nearsighted. Because Ortho-K slows down the rate at which your child's eyes get worse, your child's risk of eye disease and their need for a new prescription are also reduced. In addition to the benefits of reducing risk and not needing glasses as often, children will have improved visual performance during school and sports, while removing most of the risks associated with wearing glasses and myopia.

Ortho-K As A LASIK Alternative

Many adults want the benefits of LASIK eye surgery, but either they are unwilling to undergo the procedure, are concerned about complications, or have conditions that do not allow them to have LASIK. For many adults, Ortho-K is a great alternative, which leaves them glasses and contact lens free during the day, without the need for surgery.

Ortho-K For Athletes & Professionals

Many professional athletes, soldiers, law enforcement, and construction workers choose Ortho-K lenses because they improve eye safety and improve visual acuity while playing sports or during physical labor. For example, law enforcement and military personnel require excellent vision, but are limited by traditional options of glasses and contact lenses that may move during strenuous physical activity, or may contribute to an eye injury. Ortho-K lenses also provide superior vision than traditional contact lenses or glasses for many patients.

What Is The Process For Getting An Ortho-K Fitting?

At our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ortho-K clinic, patients undergo a full Ortho-K assessment before any fitting is made. Our Ortho-K specialist, Dr. Uri Schechter, will assess the health of your eye, your exact corrective prescription, and whether or not you are a good candidate.

Once you have been approved and assessed, the Ortho-K process works more or less in three stages:

The Ortho-K Fitting

The The Myopia Management Center At Fox Chase Family Eye Care uses advanced technology to map out your specific corneal topography in order to get the exact custom shape of the lenses required to best match your eyes.

Diagnostic Shaping Lens Trial

After the initial fitting, patients will be provided with detailed instruction on how to insert, remove, and care for the Ortho-K lenses. After a few brief intervals, Our Myopia Management optometrist will perform check-ups to evaluate changes in refraction and corneal topography. We will also verify that the lenses continue to fit properly and effectively. Minor adjustments will be made where required.

Long-Term Ortho-K Treatment

Once we have established that the initial fitting is successful, you will be required to occasionally have the progress of the Ortho-K assessed with an occasional long-term checkup. Any minor changes or adjustments can be made in order to ensure maximal comfort and success.

Ortho-K Is An Investment For A Lifetime!

As the saying goes “Education is the Best Legacy.” It is very important that you give your child sound, proper education. Unfortunately, an eye defect like myopia can hinder such a child from reading, writing, and learning. Orthokeratology offers a fast and effective solution to this eye defect.

By improving your child’s vision, you will be increasing his or her chances of learning and succeeding. This is definitely a lifetime investment for you and your child. The Orthokeratology procedure at The Myopia Management Center At Fox Chase Family Eye Care is your best chance of controlling myopia.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ortho-K

How Is My Daytime Vision After Wearing Night-Time Ortho-K Contacts?

Usually, when you use Ortho-K overnight, your daytime vision is better than it would be with glasses or contacts. Ortho-K will correct your refraction. Plus, you will enjoy the added benefits of full peripheral vision, no glare from glasses, and the freedom to look how you want without tinkering with daytime contacts or burdened with glasses.

How Long Does It TakeTo Achieve Fully-Corrected Daytime Vision With Ortho-K?

The time required depends on factors such as the age of the patient and the prescription, as well as the patient’s specific vision needs. Children tend to see results almost immediately, while it may take two to four weeks for adults.

Is My Vision Correction With Ortho-K Permanent?

Patients who wear their Orthokeratology lenses overnight will be able to achieve great vision throughout the day, well into the evening. Some may not even need to wear the lenses every night, achieving the results by wearing them every 2-3 nights. Consistent use for children will likely stop the myopia from getting worse. However, if either a child stops wearing the Ortho-K lenses completely, they will have achieved some reduction of risk for eye disease, however, their eyes may continue to progress into their late teens. For adults that stop, their eyes will revert to how they were before they wore Ortho-K night-time contacts.

Can I See While Wearing My Orthokeratology Lenses?

Yes, the lenses allow you to see just like regular contact lenses. You can feel free to use your Ortho-K lenses to go about your typical evening routine such as watching television or reading in bed before sleep.

What Is The Success Rate Of Orthokeratology?

Ortho-K has a high success rate. However, factors such as the patient’s original prescription, treatment goals, and corneal topography will still affect the outcome and effectiveness. During your initial consultation, will provide you with detailed information regarding possible outcomes.

Are Ortho-K Lenses Safe?

Yes, Ortho-K lenses are considered very safe and reliable. Like any contact lenses, there is a relatively low risk of contracting minor infections or abnormal blood vessel growth. Proper use and care of the lenses will minimize these risks. Ensure that you disinfect the lenses as instructed. We recommend occasional checkups after your fitting with our Ortho-K specialist.

Is It Easy To Put In Or Take Your Ortho-K lenses?

Yes, Ortho-K lenses are very easy to insert or remove and are not substantially different than a regular contact lens in this respect.

How Often Do I Need To Replace My Retainer Lenses?

Depending on the condition of the Ortho-K lenses, may, on occasion, recommend that you replace the lenses. This becomes necessary if there is a buildup of mold or deposits, or if the lenses have become warped.

What If I Lose A Lens?

Ortho-K lenses work overnight. Without one or both of your lenses, your vision could be impaired as early as the next day. If you lose a lens, it is advisable to get a replacement lens immediately. It is often recommended that you have backup Ortho-K lenses.

Do I Need Lengthy Periods Of Sleep For Ortho-K To Work?

Not really. Remember that you can wear the lenses even before you’ve actually gone to sleep and even after you have woken up. Even with as little as four hours of sleep every night, your vision will be improved the following morning.

What Are The Advantages Of Orthokeratology Over Laser Vision Correction (LVC)?

Ortho-K enjoys some distinct advantages over surgery. Particularly since surgery is not a recommended form of Myopia Management for children, Ortho-K is a great option for kids, since they don’t qualify for the surgery in any event.

Adults considering Ortho-K should keep in mind the following advantages over surgery:

Far lower risk of complications such as dry eye, sensitivity, or pain

You avoid the hazy or blurry vision that often occurs after laser surgery

The procedure is non-surgical, painless, and absolutely safe. Patients only need to put on the Ortho-K lens when they sleep. There may be some initial discomfort while wearing the lenses, although this discomfort usually disappears after a few weeks of wearing the reshaping lenses.

Is Orthokeratology FDA Approved?

The FDA has approved "breathable" gas permeable contact lenses for overnight wear. These can, therefore, be used safely for Orthokeratology.

What Cities Do You Serve?

Philadelphia | Jenkintown | Cheltenham | | and the state of Pennsylvania

Find Out More Or Book An Ortho-K Consultation Today!

Is your child finding it hard to read, learn, or see faraway objects? Don’t wait until the myopia gets worse. Avoid a new prescription and give your child the gift of healthy eyes for a lifetime. Get in touch with us today at The Myopia Management Center At Fox Chase Family Eye Care.